The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Augusta, ME for 2024

Assisted living is a convenient option for older adults who need personal care services but want to maintain their independence and privacy. These facilities promote a worry-free lifestyle with services and amenities, such as housekeeping and laundry services, personal care, daily meals and recreational activities. The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey discloses that seniors in Augusta pay approximately $6,150 per month for services, which is higher than state and national medians.  

This guide provides comprehensive information on assisted living in Augusta, including the benefits and drawbacks of living here, details on senior care costs and the nonprofit organizations that help older adults make important decisions regarding their care.  

The state’s Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification, licenses assisted living facilities in Augusta. This division provides guidance on staffing and staff training, the scope of care and care planning. It also has a complaint hotline that fields and investigates reports of abuse or neglect. This hotline can be reached at (800) 383-2441.  

• Living costs tend to be lower in Maine than in the typical U.S. state, and in Augusta, the cost of living is especially low. Overall, expenses are about 20% lower than the national median. Housing and transportation are especially affordable and may result in more competitive assisted living rates.  
• According to the most recent data, violent crime occurred at a rate of 263 incidents per 100,000 people in Augusta and property crime at a rate of 3,151. While this is higher than the respective state rates of 115.2 and 1,246, the rates have been steadily declining for several years. To ensure residents’ safety, many assisted living facilities utilize state-of-the-art security systems.  
• As is typical of Maine, Augusta’s climate is relatively cool. Summers are very comfortable with highs in the upper 70s, providing a pleasant environment for those who enjoy outdoor activities, such as golf or gardening. Winters are very cold with lows in the single digits and nearly 70 inches of snowfall. Assisted living residents can participate in a variety of social and recreational activities indoors during the chilly months.  
• There are about 275 physicians per 100,000 people in Augusta, which is higher than the national average of 210 and may promote short wait times for primary and specialty care. MaineGeneral Medical Center is located in Augusta proper, and Northern Light Inland Hospital is about 17 miles away in Waterville. Health care costs are slightly higher in Augusta than in the typical U.S. city, but the city’s low cost of living may offset these expenses.  
• Augusta seniors may find the state’s income tax laws to be favorable, depending on their retirement income sources. Public and private pensions and withdrawals from retirement accounts are taxed, although there’s a small exemption for pension income. However, Social Security income is exempt from taxes, reducing the tax burden for those who rely solely on this source of income. 

Augusta is a fairly expensive city for assisted living, with local facilities charging approximately $6,150 per month for care. This is about 4% higher than the state median of $5,942 and over 40% higher than the national median of $4,300.  

Maine is a fairly expensive state for assisted living services with monthly rates in all surveyed areas surpassing the national median. At $6,150 per month, Augusta is a relatively moderately priced option. The Portland area is several hundred dollars more expensive at $6,583, and in Bangor, monthly fees are closer to the national average at $4,842. Across state lines, seniors in Manchester, New Hampshire, pay $7,560 for this level of care, and in Burlington, Vermont, fees are lower at $5,425.  

Across multiple senior care options, Augusta is an expensive city. Nursing homes feature the most expensive care, with seniors in shared rooms paying $9,125 per month for services and those in private rooms paying $9,581. Assisted living is considerably cheaper at $6,150 and offers a less intensive level of care. Older adults may save money by obtaining care at home, with homemaker and home health aide services costing $5,148. Adult day health care is typically the cheapest option. Local data isn’t available, but statewide, this level of care costs $3,467.  

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Maine page.